The Guernsey Offshore Rowing Club is a vibrant club that can trace its history back to 1894. GRC members regularly take part in offshore and coastal regatta’s held at nearby French clubs as well as local races throughout the summer, while the challenging Sure 'Herm Rocks' Rowing Regatta held in Guernsey over three days in the summer, is one of the largest rowing events in the Channel Islands. Participants from Holland, Belgium, France, the UK and near neighbours, Jersey, regularly take part, enjoying a weekend of serious racing of 6km on the Friday, 11km on the Saturday and 6km on the Sunday plus the usual GRC social activities.

The Guernsey Rowing Club in the Channel Islands welcomes all competitors, spectators and guard boat skippers and would be pleased to assist anyone that wishes to visit.

Race Report

Race Results

Preparations are underway for the 2015 season. Please keep an eye on the GRC Facebook page for details of social events and Have-A-Go rows in the meantime.

Next Race

Additional News

HAVE-A-GO

We will be holding two “Have-A–Go” sessions at the Club Hut, Bulwer Avenue on Saturday 21st Feb and Saturday 7th March, both from 08:30 until 11:00. Anyone who would like to try rowing (or has tried before and wants another go) is invited to come along. The sessions will be led by experienced rowers and coaches and will allow for an hour on the water with time aside for launching and recovering boats. Wear snug fitting sports clothing and trainers that you don’t mind getting wet. Please also wear a wind/waterproof jacket if the weather is poor. (14+years).

Volunteers that are able to assist on the day are asked to notify Captain Tom.

HERM SOCIAL TRIP!

This year’s pre-season rowing club trip to Herm will be on Saturday 21st March - departing Guernsey @ 12:15 and returning from Herm @ 16:20. This is an ideal opportunity to meet other rowers without having to get any blisters! Upon arrival in Herm, a hot buffet lunch will be served in the cosy Mermaid Tavern followed by a raffle!

For further details and to book, please complete the form and submit your payment via the below link by Friday 13th March.

VOLUNTEERS

The Club is looking for people to help out with timekeeping, scrutineering & race control.

Any rowers, ex-rowers, partners etc. who may be interested in helping with some of the critical race-day roles, please contact Captain Tom or any member of the Committee. It's fair to say your 2015 season depends on it!

SMS

SERVICE

The Guernsey Rowing Club offers text notifications to all members and guard boat skippers, which is kindly sponsored by Sure. SMS messages are sent regarding race cancellations, postponements, changes and other important notices.

If you have not already registered for this service for the 2014 season you may opt in using the form link below.

PHOTO SHOOT

The “This Girl Can” campaign through Sport England aims to increase women's participation in sport no matter what age, ability or body type.

We are keen to get involved as we feel the club is a great advert for female participation in sport. This also links in with our upcoming Have-A-Go Rows to try and encourage novice rowers into the club.

With this in mind we're having a photo shoot and interview planned with the Guernsey Press on Saturday 14th February, 1:30pm @ The GRC Boathouse on the Bridge. We'd like as many female rowers as possible to come down for a group photo and the Press would like to ask questions of a few of you at the same time. If you can make it please “join” the Facebook event below so we're able to gauge numbers.

AGM

Members are encouraged to attend and vote on any rule changes and election of committee members. This is your opportunity to make a difference and influence the direction of the Club.

There is one confirmed Committee position to fill, please consider whether you might wish to stand and advise Captain Tom by mid November.

All proposals for tabling at the AGM (including rule changes) need to be submitted to Captain Tom or Secretary Catby 21st November to allow time for the proposals to be circulated and considered in advance of the AGM.

CHRISTMAS CHEER

We would like to invite all members and friends of the GRC to rest your weary feet from all the Christmas shopping and meet up for a bit of festive cheer on Saturday 20th December at the Cock and Bull pub from around 4pm onwards.

FROZEN BUMS

Carteret Rowing Club are hosting Les Cules Geles a.k.a. The Frozen Bums on Saturday 27th December. This is a great way to work off a few mince pies then of course put it on again with some hot mulled wine after the race.

You can read more on the Carteret Rowing Club website for more information.

DINNER & DANCE 2014

This year’s presentation, dinner and dance will be held at the Duke of Richmond Hotel on Saturday 1st November from 18:00. Dress code is black tie.

The online menu/booking form has now closed.

WINTER STORAGE

Can teams with boats located on the grass please move them to their winter homes ASAP. The Club boats will stay put for the Have-A-Go sessions over the next two weeks. Please note that the Club has traditionally provided storage for some boats over the winter in the shed - as the club fleet has grown it is unlikely that there will be room to accommodate any additional boats this year.

CLUB HUT TIDY

We are looking for volunteers to help tidy up the Club Hut in advance of bringing the club boats into the shed. The shed is in better condition than it has been in previous years so it would be nice to do this on Sunday 28th Sept from 10 to 12.30 or so then go for a bit of Sunday lunch to properly round out the season with a glass of wine and dare I say even a bit of gossip.

HERM ROCKS!

The Sure “HermRocks” Rowing Regatta takes place from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th September. These are some of the most exciting races in the Channel Islands complimented by the hospitality of the local crews and generosity of our sponsor, Sure.

If you relish competitive races with challenging tidal conditions, currents and rocks; enjoy a warm welcome with accompanying social activities; and appreciate the serenity of a beautiful environment then this is the place to be!

BOAT PARKING

There is a limited amount of space available. Please be considerate and use the minimum amount of space possible. If you have a trailer you are not using, please remove it rather than take up double the footprint. Boat fees allow for one space for your boat, not two.

Matt Toussaint has kindly volunteered to "police" boat parking and will be offering some words of advice to boat owners who are causing inconvenience.

GOREY TO CARTERET

Jersey Rowing Club have offered to organise registrations for GRC members using the below link. Payment details are included in the form.

JRC have also kindly offered to move/store boats for those who would like to leave their boats after the Sark to Jersey in preparation for this race (so you don’t have to transport twice). If you would like to leave your boat for the week please email Jerseyrowingclub@hotmail.com so that arrangements can be made.

ROCQUAINE REGATTA 2ND AUG

The Rocquaine Regatta has a long and distinguished reputation for fun. A full day (and evening) of free entertainment and activities for both the young and young at heart, including beach and stage events, sandcastles, inshore swimming, sailing, raft races, 5-a-side football, volleyball, mini-macho contest and even a new “wife carrying” event, as well as the Guernsey Rowing Club’s handicapped race starting at 10:30 am. Don't forget the barbecue, with live music presented by the Vale Earth Fair to round the day off in style.

2015 FIXTURES

The fixture list for 2015 has been approved.

Please note the change to the order of races over the Herm Weekend - the longer Trident Trophy is now a GRC championship race run on Saturday and the shorter Around Herm is now a GRC handicapped race run on Sunday.